The Little Sisters of the Poor home, one of only two in New Zealand - the other is in Auckland - is preparing to celebrate its founder, Jeanne Jugan, being made a saint of the Roman Catholic Church next month.
Sister Mary Catherine Mason said the news was a cause of great joy and thanksgiving for the home, which cares for 65 elderly Dunedin residents.
"It is a great honour."
The Little Sisters of the Poor home was established in Highcliff Rd in 1904 before moving to Brockville Rd in 1978.
Inspired by its founder, staff had cared for hundreds of elderly residents since it opened, she said.
Worldwide, there are more than 2700 Little Sisters of the Poor, who care for more than 13,000 elderly people in 202 homes.
"Whenever we help an old person, we are helping our blessed Lord," she said.
Jeanne Jugan's beatification was announced by Pope John Paul II in 1982 and Pope Benedict XVI declared in February she would become a saint of the church on October 11.
A representative from each of the 202 Little Sisters of the Poor homes would attend the canonisation, with Sr Marguerite Frew selected from the Brockville home.
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, the Most Rev Colin Campbell, is also expected to attend.
To mark the occasion in Dunedin, "friends and benefactors" were invited to a special service at St Joseph's Cathedral on October 23. Residents would take part in a thanksgiving picnic on October 31.
• Jeanne Jugan
Born: Cancale, France 1792.
Died: 1879.
Founded: Little Sisters of the Poor, dedicated to caring for the elderly.
Beatified: 1982.
Canonised: October 11.
Source: Little Sisters of the Poor
